Occlusion resistant catheter

Abstract

Catheters configured to minimize, prevent, disrupt, and/or treat thrombus accumulation and subsequent occlusion are disclosed. Such catheters include at least one sidewall cut extending to the catheter distal end that forms catheter sidewall portions that move relative to each other when subjected to a force greater than a threshold force.

1. A catheter for inserting into a patient, comprising:
 a proximal section, a distal end, and a tubular sidewall extending from said proximal section to said distal end and defining a lumen for the passage of fluid; 
 a distal section that includes said distal end and a length of said sidewall extending proximally from said distal end; and 
 at least one cut in said sidewall in said distal section and extending to said distal end, said at least one cut separating said sidewall into sidewall portions that move relative to each other when at least a portion of said distal section is subjected to a force greater than a threshold force wherein said at least one cut in said sidewall includes a semicircular opening disposed at a terminus of said at least one cut. 
 
     
     
       2. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said force is caused by fluid passing through said lumen. 
     
     
       3. The catheter of  claim 2 , wherein said sidewall portions move away from each other when at least a portion of said distal section is subjected to a force higher than a threshold force. 
     
     
       4. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said force is caused by an anatomy of the patient. 
     
     
       5. The catheter of  claim 4 , wherein said anatomy is the superior vena cava. 
     
     
       6. The catheter of  claim 4 , wherein said sidewall portions move toward each other when at least a portion of said distal section is subjected to a force higher than a threshold force. 
     
     
       7. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cut extends substantially parallel with respect to a longitudinal axis of said lumen. 
     
     
       8. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one cut extends from said distal end to said circular opening. 
     
     
       9. The catheter of  claim 1 , further comprising a dividing wall extending between said proximal section and said distal end, said dividing wall separating said lumen into a first portion and a second lumen portion. 
     
     
       10. The catheter of  claim 9 , wherein said catheter comprises a first cut in said sidewall and a second cut in said sidewall, said first cut being made in said sidewall over said first portion of said lumen, and said second cut being made in said sidewall over said second portion of said lumen. 
     
     
       11. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said catheter comprises a single cut. 
     
     
       12. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said catheter comprises at least two cuts. 
     
     
       13. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said catheter is a peripherally-inserted central catheter. 
     
     
       14. The catheter of  claim 1 , wherein said catheter is a drainage catheter. 
     
     
       15. A catheter for inserting into a patient, comprising:
 a proximal section, a distal end, and a tubular sidewall extending from said proximal section to said distal end and defining a lumen for the passage of fluid; 
 a distal section that includes said distal end and a length of said sidewall extending proximally from said distal end; 
 two cuts in said sidewall in said distal section and extending to said distal end, said two cuts separating said sidewall into sidewall portions that move away from each other when fluid is passed through said lumen at pressures higher than a threshold pressure; and 
 two semi-circular openings in said sidewall in said distal section, each semi-circular opening located at a terminus of a cut in the sidewall.